We at Words of Encouragement believe:
 The Bible was written by men, who were divinely inspired by God. The Bible is
inerrant and infallible, and is the sole authority for faith and practice.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that
the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2
Timothy 3:16-17
God is triune: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He
is all loving, all wise, and all powerful. He is the one true, living God. He is
the creator of all things.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, The
Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1 John 5:7
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, born of a virgin, and without sin. He was
crucified on a cross and rose from the dead, purchasing, with His shed blood, a
place in heaven for all believers and offering forgiveness of sin.
"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus:
for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was
buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and
that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, he was seen of above
five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this
present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of
all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of
due time." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (written by Paul)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace" Ephesians 1:7
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, present in the heart of every believer from
the moment of salvation. His presence is God's assurance of salvation to the
believer. He is our teacher, guide, and our convictor of sin and righteousness.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them
that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians
2:9-10
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of
God." 1 Corinthians 2:12
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the
saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
Man is created by God in His image. Man sinned against God and came under
condemnation by God. Man as a result has a sinful nature that is inherited by
all generations.
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from
the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who
is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him
were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by him, and for him." Colossians
1:12-17
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he
might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans
3:23-26
"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all
things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things
in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by
wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death,
to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight" Colossians
1:19-22
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of
the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1
Corinthians 15:21-22
Salvation is by God's grace not by good works. It is offered as a free gift
to all who will confess themselves as sinners, repent, and accept the
substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for the penalty of
their sin as required by God's law. Salvation restores a personal relationship
between man and God through Jesus. Salvation is received through faith.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 10:9-11
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